Unofficial news and tips about Google

October 9, 2010

Google Shuts Down GOOG-411

Google announced that GOOG-411, the free directory assistance service launched in 2007, will be discontinued next month. GOOG-411 is available in the US and Canada, where it was launched as a free alternative to the expensive services provided by telephone companies.

The service has helped Google build a large database of voice samples and improved the voice recognition technology. Here's what Google's Marissa Mayer said about GOOG-411:

"The speech recognition experts that we have say: If you want us to build a really robust speech model, we need a lot of phonemes, which is a syllable as spoken by a particular voice with a particular intonation. So we need a lot of people talking, saying things so that we can ultimately train off of that. ... So 1-800-GOOG-411 is about that: Getting a bunch of different speech samples so that when you call up or we're trying to get the voice out of video, we can do it with high accuracy."

Google no longer focused on GOOG-411 and decided to discontinue the service. "Our success encouraged us to aim for more innovation. Thus, we're putting all of our resources into speech-enabling the next generation of Google products and services across a multitude of languages," explained Google.

A good alternative to GOOG-411 is BING-411 (1-800-BING-411), Microsoft's service that gives you turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic conditions, and weather reports. The service is only available in the US.

I too had a great experience with a live operator. 1-800-500-0000 is the number I called asked for a restaurant and yippee the operator quickly dished out the info. Inquisitively, I asked for a movie hall as well and got a prompt response. Heard it is a service by Just Dial, one of the world's leading local search service. I guess i'm hooked onto it.

Very sad to see this come to an end. We used this service a lot and was extremely handy. Although I agree with Google's focus on smartphones and voice stuff, Google 411 offered something that you could search and access phone numbers and addresses while driving. This is something you really cannot do on your smartphone while driving.

We used the service extensively as well. As alternatives, we will use the GOOGLE text service (send the city and state and the business name and receive a text reply), and the 800-BING-411. Thanks to the one suggesting 800-JUSTDIAL as well.

I didn't even realize this was happening until I used it recently and heard the message at the beginning say it was going away as of Nov 6th which is a terrible time to disconnect the service it's when I use it the most (calling various stores and such during the holidays mostly black Friday)plus to add insult to injury they are giving it to the smartphone crowd which I am not in nor will I be joining anytime soon (hell I use a prepaid phone that I bought for $10 and enjoy very much or did until now anyway)I guess this is/was inevitable but it still hurts to loose this valuable service.R.I.P GOOG-411 gonna miss you buddy.

I too am very disappointed with Google's decision on 411. It is so convenient to just dial in and ask for a business when I am away from home. 800 FREE 411 might be an option, but it plays commercial spots while one waits for the number. I haven't used it in quite a while, so I've forgotten the particulars.

And yet another great service is going to shut down, because of lousy marketing department in Google! The big problem with Google is that they don't know how to market their great technologies and make money out of them. In this case their objection is that since they developed native apps for smartphones they don't see any advantage in Goog-411 and therefore they won’t continue the service. I guess they should look into numbers, even in US the majority of people still use regular phones rather than Smart phones. So this is not a good excuse to abandon this great service.Whit this attitude, Google is going to lose its customers, especially now that they step into Enterprise with their Google Apps. With this attitude, there is no guaranty for businesses to switch to Google and layout their needs on Google Services, because Google might withdraw those services with or without any reasons. i.e. Just in May, 2010 @Google IO they announced that they are opening Google Waves for Apps' users and couple months later they retired Wave! It's hard to trust on experimental technologies, and that is why Google hasn't been able to make money on most of its products except the search.

I used Goog411 extensively, told many friends and relatives about it. I particularly liked using "I'll connect you," which avoided both the danger/hassle of noting and dialing the number AND the use of phone plan minutes, being an 800 #. I do not text, and Bing uses texting, also 800JUSTDIAL/8005000000 have live operators, but do not make the connection, sadly.BRING BACK GOOG411!

I use this almost daily, and am so sorry to see this go. I turned a bunch of friends onto it, and they use it too. I like that it works the majority of the time. Not all of us use cell phones to surf the web or send text messages, so this was a godsend. Not to mention its more safe. Google, what are you thinking??? Do good. Keep the service!

THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE EVERY TIME THERE IS SOMETHING WORKING GOOD THEY HAVE TO SHUT IT DOWN,WHERE ASKING BEGGING ,PLEAING WITH YOU TO KEEP IT GOING, IF SOME ONE NEEDS TO START A PETITION GOING TO PLEASE KEEP IT GOING,THIS IS THE SAFES THING TO HAVE ,WHEN ON THE ROAD .

Goog411 was a community service. It is a necessity for people without smart phones. Google should rethink its removal in light of its "Create No Evil" motto. Taking away Goog411 creates a big negative hole in many people's lives, and I think it's an evil, call it GOOF411.

This is how I interpret Google's actions: "We got what we wanted from you, so we are discontinuing the service you love so much because we no longer need you. We already got what we wanted from you." Do no evil? Ya, right. Those three words from Google have repeatedly been nothing but lip service. Google's message to us is clear: "Do not depend on Google for anything, because we will ditch you as soon as we no longer need your data."

Well it looks like everyone before pretty much summed it up, bad move,,we all vote with our wallets, another college educated marketing pro that can't smell the real world until revenue drops then they will do a survey to figure out why, ya think we don't know the related companies here?

I was stunned to hear when I used Goog411 recently that it was going away. Dumb, dumb, dumb! Why take away an awesome, much appreciated service that gets so much positive press for Google? Very very disappointed!

Tried Bing get 2 text messages for phone #'s I did not need plus they could not understand my voice recognition for a local tire company. Never had any problem with GOOG 411. Why shut it down Google, can you not see it is a great service for thousands or maybe millions of people.

Not all of us can afford a smart phone or have the need for a phone with all the bells and whistles. You did such a great job. Guess the segment of the population that is not smart phone connected will just miss out . . . Once again, its the haves and have nots . . . . . Bummer

Goog411 saves lives.......literally! Do businesses always have to to with the bottom line while the masses suffer? Are there no more "do it for the good of the people" left out there??? Come on Google.........do what's right.

not thrilled about this, but using another service is the lesser of 2 evils, 1st being a $2.50 charge for info from my phone company. I'm sure some SMART competitor will respond to the "little people" and offer an even BETTER service.

My whole family uses Goog411, including myself all the time, and I am the only one with a smartphone. This will be sorely missed, I with they would reconsider. I remember there used to be an option in google voice that had directory assistance using google voice. I guess they took that option away because they new ahead of time of the cancellation.

Probably the number one reason why they shut this service down, and no one has even thought about mentioning it, is liability. If someone used GOOG411 to make connections to drug dealers, third parties, terrorists, etc, Google might be found liable. Or possibly, criminals could use disposable phones and GOOG411 to connect phone calls, making them harder to trace. Routing phone calls for others? There are too many risks for Google corporate: it's just easier to shut it down and force people back to the web.

Well, I'm REALLY disappointed. I haven't used it for a few months because it doesn't work from payphones here (Mpls). I just tried tonight & heard it was shutting down. I used it when I was in Phx & Bham. It did work from a payphone in Phx for awhile but then it stopped. When I left Bham, it was working from payphones. I thought it was WONDERFUL. I don't have any phone service so it was neat to call businesses like this. I guess all good things must end.

Try GO800 text keyword to connect. Try text "HELLO" to GO800 (46800) and see what happens. Or text Pizza, Chase, Lowes, Walmart etc...you will get connected in seconds. It's FREE and it WORKS, TRY IT NOW!!!!

I'm not only disappointed that Google has pulled the plug on GOOG 411 - I'm alo disturbed that they've been stockpiling our recorded voices for their own use. It's one thing to claim that you're recording and/or monitoring calls for quality control/customer service purposes... it's something decidedly different when you're preserving these recordings in your database.

As for 800 JustDial; they're located (or at least they originated)in India. I'm not exactly thrilled with the thought of having my searches (and probably my voice) on a foreign database, too.

Hi, 1800GOOG411 was an innovative idea from Google and it's sad to see that it dint work out. Mostly, I think the reason it did not work out was because too many things were automated. Recently I heard of Justdial, a 24 x 7 operator assisted toll free concierge service. I dialed 1800-500-0000 to try the service and was amazed when a human voice answered my query within 60 seconds. Justdial really delivered what they promised.

I will miss you goog411! You were my best friend when I was lost in Los Angeles and Seattle. You saved my life more than once and I cannot thank you enough! Just what do I do now, please tell me, what number can I dial now that offers such a great service fr free? Google, you huge corporation that can afford to keep this service running forever, please bring it back! Why in all your mightyness* would you decide to stop the service? You are missed greatly by everyone I know. I have such fond memories of being in the middle of nowhere, lost, hungry and tired only to have goog411 help me find the way to food, a place to rest and a nice cup of coffee. Gah you suck google. :(

I just called BING-411 and they have this ridiculous long message about all the features before letting you say the city-state-business name which were the first things you got asked in GOOG411. Oh well, I guess its good enough for a free service.

What is this world coming to? I'm so sad, it was on my speed dial. I riled upon GOOG 411. I will shed one-thousand tears every year on November 12th for the rest of my life. Google, I will forever mourn...

I loved goog 411 but the damn thing kept on asking me over and over again what I wanted. when it did give me something it was completely wrong. Which pissed me off! So i would yell and curse at it and then i would get something!!! But I did like it though. I just hated when it told me I was wrong and 'glitched on me.' i wish it back!!!!!! PLEASE!!!

I have used GOOG411 a ton, even while sitting on a motorcycle with a BT headset in my helmet. Even pulling over, texting is still impractical with gloves. So, Bing offers a similar service, huh? I guess I should start checking out what they offer.

Google listen to all of the Above. I used goog 411 dozens of times a week, and told everyone I know about it. I hate free 411 and their voice recognition is terrible. They also do dumb things like asking if something is right and if you say right it re-asks until you say yes, then you have to remember the # or write it down while driving. Very dangerous. I use Picasa extensivly, Google Chrome, Google search, Panaramino, google maps and earth. please bring back Goog 411.